Oldskool Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 http://www.indystar.com/article/20101011/SPORTS03/101011021/1004/SPORTS PHIL B.'S PREDICTION: COLTS 27, REDSKINS 24 This NFL season has become so unpredictable, it seems impossible to guess about which way this game will go. Washington has been a tough out at home, all three nailbiters, blowing a 17-point lead against Houston in the one FedEx Field game lost. The Colts have been less than stellar on the road, losing at Houston and at Jacksonville. If they have one thing in common, both the Redskins and Colts are coming off gritty wins at home. Washington edged Green Bay 16-13 in OT. The Colts knocked off Kansas City 19-9 to give the NFL’s last unbeaten team its first loss. So why pick the Colts? Because we keep expecting this team to show the form it has continually displayed in past 12-win seasons. Because the game is in prime time and Colts QB Peyton Manning tends to shine in these moments. And because the Redskins have trouble protecting the passer, they don’t blow teams away with an unstoppable offense and the Colts seem to match up well with this team. Think about it. The Colts have just two sacks in three games, one of those on a fumbled snap. Yet here are the Redskins, who have allowed 11 sacks. Sounds like an opportunity for Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis to feast. Then there’s Manning, who for the first time this season didn’t throw for 300 yards or have a TD pass. Yeah, like that’s going to happen two games in a row. Still, always mindful there are two sides to a coin, the Redskins could win because QB Donovan McNabb has proven, once again, football is a team game. It’s about making clutch plays at the most important times. It’s about a leader managing the ebbs and flows. McNabb’s numbers aren’t that impressive. He tends to lock in on a couple guys in the passing game. But he makes it work. All that said, nobody manages a game better than Manning. And while the Colts have issues – still not sold all the defensive problems are fixed because the guys played well at home twice – Manning will remind a national television audience of his greatness. That’s enough. COLTS' RUN OFFENSE VS. REDSKINS' RUN DEFENSE The Colts have been without backup RB Donald Brown for two weeks. Now leading rusher Joseph Addai has a shoulder/neck injury. Even if the Colts need to bring in someone new, past results suggest the Colts typically don’t run for much. They’re averaging 3.2 yards per carry. Not that the Redskins have been great at stopping it. They’re allowing 4.5 yards per carry. So it’s almost a push. Almost. EDGE: REDSKINS. COLTS' PASS OFFENSE VS. REDSKINS' PASS DEFENSE No NFL quarterback has attempted more passes in five games than the Colts’ Peyton Manning at 216. But Kansas City had him guessing with a 2-3-6 alignment, sure to be copied by others after Manning failed to pass for 300 yards or a TD. The Redskins have a decent pass rush with 12 sacks, four by Brian Orakpo, but are allowing 298 yards passing per game. Colts WR Reggie Wayne leads the NFL with 39 catches. EDGE: COLTS. REDSKINS' RUN OFFENSE VS. COLTS' RUN DEFENSE Clinton Portis is out with a groin injury, so the Redskins have been handing off to second-year RB Ryan Torain, who is averaging 3.8 yards per carry. The Redskins average 3.9 yards as a team. The Colts are among the NFL’s worst at stopping the run at 142.2 yards allowed per game. Teams look to overpower smaller Colts defenders. EDGE: REDSKINS. REDSKINS' PASS OFFENSE VS. COLTS' PASS DEFENSE Donovan McNabb always seems give his team a chance, although his 56.5 completion percentage isn’t gaudy, he’s been sacked 11 times and has thrown three interceptions. Yet the Redskins win because, like their leader, they make clutch plays. The Colts have been inconsistent in pass coverage and generating a pass rush. They have just two sacks in three games. This could be a key to the game’s outcome. EDGE: EVEN. SPECIAL TEAMS The Colts continue to be steady with field goals, punts and kicking off. P Pat McAfee has 11 kickoff touchbacks, which ties for the league lead. PK Adam Vinatieri has made all eight of his FG attempts. Redskins PK Graham Gano has made a clutch kick to win a game (Green Bay) and missed another that ended up costing his team an OT game (Houston). Redskins have a modest edge in return yards. EDGE: EVEN. COACHES Redskins coach Mike Shanahan, winner of two Super Bowl rings while with Denver, is owner Dan Snyder’s latest expensive investment. Shanahan acquired a mobile quarterback in Donovan McNabb and stood up to disgruntled holdout DT Albert Haynesworth. The coach has restored some order. Colts coach Jim Caldwell’s team has been hit by injuries, but fans have been quick to criticize him in losses. EDGE: REDSKINS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PortisBetts Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 pretty fair analysis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snarky Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 Depends on which Colts team shows up. I'm expecting an all-out assault with Peyton in prime time. We better put out big-boy cleats on for this one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockfan7224 Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 Agreed, this is a pretty spot on analysis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D'KanSkinFan Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 Okay, if anyone saw anything last Sunday of the KC/Indy game - you saw the "holes". This, statement, to me is the biggest indicator that we can beat them: The Colts have been inconsistent in pass coverage and generating a pass rush. They have just two sacks in three games. This could be a key to the game’s outcome. One point this comparison did not have in it: OUR DEFENSE. So, I would say, Peyton has things to look at and be concerned about because every Defensive player wants to put Manning on his - uh - back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldskool Posted October 11, 2010 Author Share Posted October 11, 2010 Depends on which Colts team shows up. I'm expecting an all-out assault with Peyton in prime time. We better put out big-boy cleats on for this one... I expect that the Skins will run similar oddball secondary formations and for them not to set in their defensive scheme until the last moment, just as KC did this last week in order to confuse Manning. The way that you beat Indy is to run the ball, control the clock, keep Manning on the bench and force them to run the ball or to settle for short passes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitman21ST Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 are the special teams and redskins pass O vs colts pass D pushes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
[[ghost]] Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 Peyton + Wayne + No run game - Addai = Aerial Assault. We'll have to contain Manning and keep up with him. If our offense can drop more than 25, and that is by no means a given, then we stand a good chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldskool Posted October 11, 2010 Author Share Posted October 11, 2010 are the special teams and redskins pass O vs colts pass D pushes? Sorry that was a formatting error on my part. It's fixed now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjfootballer Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 We've given up 11 sacks, but 5 were in this past game. So through the first 4, we'd given up 6. Around 1.5 a game. I think it will be tight. 27-24 seems fair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldskool Posted October 11, 2010 Author Share Posted October 11, 2010 We've given up 11 sacks, but 5 were in this past game. So through the first 4, we'd given up 6. Around 1.5 a game. I think it will be tight. 27-24 seems fair. With 3-4 teams, you don't know where the pressure is going to come from the 4 LB's. With Indy playing a 4-3 and a Tampa 2 shell, you know exactly where the pressure is coming from and that makes it much easier to game plan for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kostaskins Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 running and keeping there offense off the field is gonna be huge! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyConway Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 Depends on which Colts team shows up. I'm expecting an all-out assault with Peyton in prime time. We better put out big-boy cleats on for this one... It also depends on which Redskins team shows up. The Skins can't allow Manning to shred them like Schuab did because our offense can't stay with their offense. However, Schuab had a running game to set-up the pass whereas the Colts running game is pretty weak. We also held Rogers and Romo sits to pee in check. IMO the key to the game will be pressuring Manning the way we did against Rogers in crunch time. Keeping Manning off the field with a strong running game always helps (still surprised we pulled it out against the Pack w/o a running game). FYI, Manning had a field day the last time we met the Manning and the Colts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HailToTheRedskins14 Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 We really, really have to be able to run the ball here. I'd definitely say that the matchup to watch is Skins Rush Offense Vs. Colts Rush Defense. If we can't run the ball and are constantly having quick 3 and outs, we're in trouble. You simply can't give Peyton multiple chances. That's what scared me about the Packers. Especially considering, if we get behind, Kyle Shanahan has a tendency to completely abandon the run. Now granted the rushing hasn't done a whole lot, but I'd take Manning and the Colts WR's over McNabb and our WR's in a shootout any day of the week. Gonna be interesting. I think it all starts with those fat boys up front this Sunday. And I love that it's primetime. Means everybody will be watching. The pressure is on! HUGE game, biggest game of the year for us...4-2 or 3-3? WHATCHA GOT BOYS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeadExField Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 Over the last two years of Shanahan being out of the NFL, I believe he studied the Colts extensively to get a hold of their game. If I took a break from coaching, the Colts is the first team I would study from the ground up. I'm looking for Shanahan to surprise us if we can be mistake free. In Shanahan's last 8 meetings with the Colts he is 2-6 (1999-now) and the Redskins last 3 meetings vs the Colts the redskins are 2-1 (1999-now). With a win/loss like that, I'm sure Shanahan did his homework during his brief hiatus from coaching Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morneblade Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 I cant believe Im going to say this, but I think our edge in special teams, coaching and being at home=win. As good as Manning is (and I think he will bring his A game) our team has been up against top tier talent at the QB position all season. And won. We've beaten Homo, Vick (who was playing lights out) and Rodgers. I think we find a way to win. Probably another nail biter that looks ugly and Manning puts 400+ yards on us, but I think we eek it out down the stretch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldskool Posted October 11, 2010 Author Share Posted October 11, 2010 We really, really have to be able to run the ball here. I'd definitely say that the matchup to watch is Skins Rush Offense Vs. Colts Rush Defense. If we can't run the ball and are constantly having quick 3 and outs, we're in trouble. You simply can't give Peyton multiple chances. That's what scared me about the Packers.Especially considering, if we get behind, Kyle Shanahan has a tendency to completely abandon the run. Now granted the rushing hasn't done a whole lot, but I'd take Manning and the Colts WR's over McNabb and our WR's in a shootout any day of the week. Gonna be interesting. I think it all starts with those fat boys up front this Sunday. And I love that it's primetime. Means everybody will be watching. The pressure is on! HUGE game, biggest game of the year for us...4-2 or 3-3? WHATCHA GOT BOYS! Unless your name is Drew Brees or Tom Brady, you need to run the ball to beat the Colts. It's as simple as that. The Chiefs and the Texans games need to be played on a loop during film session this week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfr3ek Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 we need to punch these guys right in the mouth. PROTECT THIS HOUSE!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfr3ek Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 I cant believe Im going to say this, but I think our edge in special teams, coaching and being at home=win. As good as Manning is (and I think he will bring his A game) our team has been up against top tier talent at the QB position all season. And won. We've beaten Homo, Vick (who was playing lights out) and Rodgers. I think we find a way to win. Probably another nail biter that looks ugly and Manning puts 400+ yards on us, but I think we eek it out down the stretch. you mean, VICK and KOLB. hahaha. HTTR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitman21ST Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 ];7872630']Peyton + Wayne + No run game - Addai = Aerial Assault. We'll have to contain Manning and keep up with him. If our offense can drop more than 25' date=' and that is by no means a given, then we stand a good chance.[/quote'] We'll probably have a similar gameplan to the one against the Eagles, with a little more underneath coverage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowek723 Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 Special teams even??...that has to be a joke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yeen80 Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 Seems like a pretty good breakdown, but I hear Addai may miss the game? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldskool Posted October 12, 2010 Author Share Posted October 12, 2010 Seems like a pretty good breakdown, but I hear Addai may miss the game? Joseph Addai-RB- Colts Oct. 11 - 11:07 am et Joseph Addai said he is just suffering from soreness in his right shoulder and neck after leaving Sunday's win over the Chiefs early. Addai was slammed to the ground by Chiefs DE Glenn Dorsey. "Right now, I can manage it. Turning (his head) to the left is kind of sore," Addai said after the game. It sounds like Addai will be OK for Week 6, but note that the Colts have a bye in Week 7. Mike Hart performed well in relief of Addai on Sunday. Source: Indianapolis Star Even if he is out they still have Hart and Brown. Their running game is as bad as the Packs is. Yeah I know they gave up that 71 yard run but he only had 44 yards after that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.